India batter Devdutt Padikkal impressed everyone with his batting during the first Test match against Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old scored 167 and 44 and was named the Player of the Match for his efforts. The team’s designated number three batter Sai Sudharsan was ruled out of the two-match series, with Padikkal taking his place in the starting XI.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra lauded the youngster for his innings but also said that tougher challengers are ahead. Taking to his YouTube channel, the 48-year-old said, “It wasn’t a case of horses for courses. There was a spot which had opened up, and Devdutt grabbed it. He is a very technical batter who has paid the dues of playing first-class cricket.”

Chopra also added, “He wasn’t fast-tracked into the Indian side like Sudharsan because it seemed the latter was the right pick for the longest format.” Padikkal made his India debut in Dharamsala against the visiting England side in the final Test of the series.

Sai made his Test debut last year in the Leeds Test and has played seven games, scoring 383 runs at an average of 31 with three fifties. The cricketer’s last game for the national side was against Afghanistan in June this year, where the batter amassed 81 runs. He also did well for India A against Sri Lanka A, accumulating over 300 runs, including two centuries.

Australia and New Zealand challenge awaits Padikkal, says former India.

Aakash Chopra said that the youngster will face a massive challenge when the Indian side plays against New Zealand and Australia in the Test format. Shubman Gill‘s team will play the Kiwis in a 2-Test series later this year and will also host the Aussies early in 2027.

“This is not a short-term selection, and in my opinion he is in for the long haul and will be part of the team. Padikkal will be part of the team if he does well in the next match in Colombo. His biggest Test will come when the side plays two Tests in New Zealand and also hosts Australia in a five-match series.”

The second Test of the SL vs IND series will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Visitors will be looking at a series win away from home when they take the field on Sunday.